Chocolate Protein Pancakes {Bob’s Red Mill #SummerStrong}

This is a sponsored post on behalf of FitApproach. All opinions expressed are my own.

As I mentioned last week, optimizing nutrition for peak performance is one of of my goals for the remainder of the year, especially as I hope to run a PR and feel good at the California International Marathon in early December.

I know that many of you have similar goals: you are training for a fall race of any distance – 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, or even ultra – and have goals in mind. Whether these are quantitative goals (time, distance, BQ) or qualitative (finish feeling strong, figure out fueling), you want to take actionable steps to achieve your goals.

Smart, progressive, specific training is only one portion of the puzzle to achieving your goals in running, especially as you run higher mileage and harder workouts. Nutrition contributes just as much to achieving your goals in running. Protein, carbs, fat, probiotics – they are all necessary for optimal sports nutrition and fueling your body over hundred of training miles plus the race.

Which is why I have a fun giveaway plus a recipe for you today that will help you achieve those nutrition goals!

I am emphatically not a proponent of soy or whey based protein powders, at least for myself. I’m hesitant to include soy in my diet because of its pseudo-estrogens and large amounts of unfermented dairy irritate my stomach. Most of all, most of the protein powders I have tried been gritty, chalky, and generally unpalatable.

But…sometimes you need a bit of something extra to add some protein to your diet, especially when your summer goals include training for a marathon and you don’t eat a lot of meat. I usually just eat more eggs and yogurt during training, but nutritional variety is valuable for optimal performance and overall health.

So when Bob’s Red Mill released a new plant-based protein powder and had the option to try them on behalf of FitApproach, I leapt at the opportunity. Their unique blend of protein powder offered not only protein, but also fiber, omega-3 fatty acids from chia seeds, and probiotics to fight inflammation, keep you feeling full, and promote a healthy gut. Plus, these protein powders are vegan and gluten free!

After trying their protein powders on their own and mixed into other foods (such as the pancakes below), Ryan and I both decided these protein powders need to become a pantry staple, much like other Bob’s Red Mill products.

Since both Ryan and I are working towards big fitness goals, post-workout recovery meals are essential for us. Whether the focus is getting protein to our muscles after a hard running workout or strength training or meeting that ideal 4:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio after a run, Bob’s Red Mill plant-based protein powders make post workout fueling easier.

I usually do not recommend that runners use a pure protein powder after a run, since you need to consume carbohydrates to replenish your glycogen (stored carbohydrate) for your next run and ultimately your race. Unlike many protein powders, Bob’s Red Mill Protein Powder contains fiber (carbohydrate) and healthy fats in the form of chia seeds. With 18 grams of carbohydrate (12 grams of which are fiber), 20 grams of plant based protein, and 3.5 grams of healthy fats, a generous 1/3 cup serving of Bob’s Red Mill Protein Powder Nutritional Booster offers everything you nutritionally need in that vital one-hour recovery window after a run or strength training workout.

Bob’s Red Mill method of stone grinding made a significant difference in their plant-based protein powder: no gritty texture no matter how you are using it. You want your post run snack or meal to taste good just as much as you want it to nourish your body, replenish those glycogen stores, and start repairing microtears in your hard-worked muscles.

While Ryan and I have both enjoyed Bob’s Red Mill Protein Powder Nutritional Booster in various forms (including stashing them in our packs for extra protein in our oatmeal when backpacking), these chocolate protein pancakes are our favorite way to use the protein powder as a post-run recovery meal.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir to combine. Avoid over-stirring, as this will produce flat pancakes.

If the mixture is too dry, add another 1-2 tablespoons of milk.

Heat a large, flat pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot (water should sizzle when sprinkled on it), grease with half of the coconut oil.

Cook 2-3 pancakes on the pan at a time (depending on the size of your pan). This recipe will make 6 pancakes. Scoop the batter into the pan and let each pancake cook until bubbles form on the surface before flipping. Cook until browned on both sides and cooked through.

After each batch of pancakes, regrease the pan with coconut oil to prevent sticking.

Want to try Bob’s Red Mill plant-basedProtein Powder? You can print a $1 off coupon using this link and enter the giveaway below to win one 160z bag of your choice of flavor: chocolate, vanilla, unflavored, or chai ($29.99 value). a Rafflecopter giveaway

What flavor would you try?
How do you plan on making the most of your nutrition and training this summer?
Pancakes, waffles, or French toast?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

I haven’t tried their protein powder yet but for the reasons you listed, I would! I don’t eat the soy or whey protein powders either. I love skoop and sort of remain loyal to it because it’s so tasty but would definitely try the vanilla to see how it tastes! I have yet to find a chocolate protein powder that I really like, to the point where I don’t even want to try another chocolate one but that’s silly. I should try the chocolate.

The chocolate one is really, really good – Ryan loves it and we make these pancakes weekly! I’ve had awful chocolate protein powders before as well and was hesitant about this one but it surpassed expectations.

I’m not a huge fan of protein powders but I was super excited to see that Bob’s was now making one. Especially since it doesn’t have any weird stuff and is more plant based. The chocolate is amazing and the chai – SO GOOD!!!

Thank you! Blueberry pancakes and waffles are super delicious also, especially when blueberries are so fresh like they are right now! I’m not a huge fan of protein shakes either since I like to chew food 🙂

Sounds yummy! I also do not like soy or whey protein powders, they’ve notoriously upset my stomach. I use a brown rice protein powder from Sunwarrior and it’s always worked well for me, but I’d give the Bob’s a try too. The chai flavor sounds delicious! And I’d pick french toast over pancakes or waffles almost any day!

I’ve been wanting to try the chai protein powder because I imagine you could make something like a chai frappuchino with it. Also glad to have another flavored protein powder option that isn’t sweetened with stevia…they are rare!

Pumpkin protein pancakes are my usual go-to breakfast after my long runs, and I think the chai protein powder could add an amazing flavor! (My pancakes don’t have any protein powder—just eggs and cottage cheese, and I usually top with vanilla Greek yogurt.)

As others have commented, I’ve been leery about dipping into protein powders, but I trust the Bob’s Red Mill brand. I especially love the organic grits/polenta—cooks up in about 5 minutes and has 3 g fiber per serving, so it’s a nice whole grain side dish (or main dish, topped with sauteed kale and an egg!). My 3.5 y/o son love the grits, too!

Pumpkin protein pancakes sound so good! I used to make something similar to those with oats, pumpkin, egg, and cottage cheese, and now I’m remembering how good they were. 🙂 I avoid most protein powders overall and it’s really the quality of Bob’s Red Mill that convinced me to try these. I love their grits/polenta as well – we use it as a quick meal or an easy backpacking/camping dinner – it’s so delicious and easy to prepare!

I love Canada. We have ketchup chips, we have kickass gun laws and we let people marry whoever they choose way before you guys ever made it legal. But we don’t have Trader Joes, we don’t have Red Lobster, we don’t have Target, and we don’t have Bobs protein powder. But Susie was kind enough to send me some along with a swatch of her cat’s fur and an unused tampon and for this I will be forever grateful and so because I love you and Susie so very much, it has become my civic duty to make these pancakes.

I would miss Target and Bob’s Red Mill. But you guys have mountains and all my favorite TV shows like Supernatural are filmed in Vancouver. I think Zoe’s hair adds the perfect touch to protein powder but wouldn’t mix well in these pancakes 🙂

These pancakes look awesome! What is the protein made of? Rice, pea, hemp? Sorry if you said it and I missed it. I agree- straight protein after a run is not ideal, but combining it with carbs is a great way to recover.

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Welcome to Team Norris Running!

Hi, I'm Laura! I'm a distance runner, RRCA certified running coach, and outdoor enthusiast living in Northwest Indiana. Whether you want to run your first race or qualify for Boston, I'm here to help you achieve your personal best with training tips and individualized run coaching.